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Posted on 09/27/2010 11:50:38 PM PDT by Beaten Valve
A false earthquake warning has gone viral, spreading unnecessary fear on telephone text messages, Facebook and Twitter, the state said Tuesday.
The message says the state is predicting a massive quake sometime within the next few days.
That’s not true, says California Emergency Management Agency Secretary Matt Bettenhausen.
In fact, it’s not possible.
“Although the broad scientific community has been working relentlessly to give us better information about earthquakes and their behavior, being able to predict when earthquakes will strike is not something they can do at this point,” Bettenhausen said.
He said this type of urban legend has become common after natural disasters.
“The Internet has provided a medium through which misinformation can spread faster and more widely than ever before,” he said in a statement disseminated to the news media.
He said what emergency responders always say when asked about earthquakes: That every mention of the topic should be a reminder to be prepared for a quake they say is inevitable.
"The fact is that we live in a very seismically active state where an earthquake may occur anytime. That means we must take steps now to prepare for any event," said Bettenhausen.
The Cal EMA statement said:
One of the most common and essential items one can assemble to prepare for a disaster is an Emergency Preparedness Kit.
This kit would contain enough food, water, and supplies to sustain each member of a household for a minimum of 72 hours. A battery powered radio is also essential to have on hand.
Developing a Family Emergency Plan with evacuation routes, and important contact information is another tool for keeping you and your family safe in an emergency.
"Rumors can be scary, but being prepared is something that can truly help you feel better about your ability to survive the next big quake," said Bettenhausen.
The 3 day GOOD bag is a great suggestion, regardless of what natural disasters your area has. Makes you wonder how a gooberment geek thought of it.
/johnny
Ummmm......if they can't predict it, then how do they know it WON'T happen?
He read it on the internet.
Someone is going to look really stupid if a big one actually hits now.
“This kit would contain enough food, water, and supplies to sustain each member of a household for a minimum of 72 hours. A battery powered radio is also essential to have on hand.”
I remember as a kid, probably early 70s, Rosie from “Laugh In” on a talk show saying she had an earth quake survival bag in her car. They treated her like a nut. I thought it sounded pretty sensible at the time. It made an impression on me. As a nurse, I guarantee I have one heck of an emergency medical back pack...and a few other necessary supplies.
whiskey and toilet paper
DRATS! They got my hopes up only to be dashed, smashed into the ground, breaking my heart once again.
No one in their right mind says an earthquake WON’T happen. What’s your point?
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So much for my potential ocean front property in Barstow.
At least this "hoax" may wake up more folks to get ready for the inevitable.
I have lots of emergency stuff in my car as well as several cases of food, batteries, water etc. in different places at home - including the garage. Plenty of food etc. for the kitties too.
Twice a year - when summertime begins and ends - I check for expiration dates and replace anything out of date.
We are due for the big one here in California. No-one should be surprised when it happens.
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